One farmers’ training cum demonstration programme on the topic “Enhancing Productivity of Vegetable Crops by incorporating Bio-fertilizers” and an awareness programme on National Campaign on “Balanced Use of Fertilizers” were organized on May 29, 2026 at Jamujhari village in Jatani block of Khordha district by ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar. A total of 62 farmers, including 18 women farmers from Farmer FIRST Project adopted Jamujhari and Barapita villages participated in the programme. During the training and awareness sessions, Dr. Sumanta Kumar Mishra, Principal Scientist and Principal Investigator briefed the participating farmers on the importance and necessity of bio-fertilizers for sustainable agricultural development. He emphasized on the need to reduce usage of chemical fertilizers by at least 25 percent to maintain soil health. Farmers were encouraged to adopt bio-fertilizers and bio-formulations as sustainable alternatives to chemical fertilizers. Dr. Pravukalyan Panigrahi, Principal Scientist highlighted the importance of balanced, judicious, and need-based fertilizer application to prevent excessive use of chemical fertilizers. He explained that appropriate water management, along with balanced nutrient application, ensures higher crop productivity and better returns. During the programme, Horticulture Scientist and Co-PI Dr. Prativa Sahu stressed the importance of bio-fertilizer application in various vegetable crops, seed treatment, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), suitable crop rotation, agricultural practices, and crop diversification. She demonstrated the use and proper application timing of bio-fertilizers in horticultural crops, like Trichoderma viridae, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Potassium Mobilizing Bacteria (KMB), Mycorrhiza, Vermicompost and Farmyard Manure (FYM). Environmental Scientist Dr. Mamta Bisht, sensitized the participants about the ill effects of chemical fertilizers on the soil, water, crop, environment and overall on the human and animal health. Field Assistant Mr. Firoj Kumar Pradhan gave skill-based demonstrations on methods of preparation of bio-inputs for natural farming, such as Jeevamrut, Ghanajeevamrut, and Neemastra, and explained in details about their application techniques and benefits to farmers and regarding. Besides the above, the programme also witnessed demonstrations on use and application of Rhizobium and Azotobacter bacteria (NRRI Endo-N & NRRI Endo-NKP), Sesbania (Dhaincha) green manure, Nitrogen-fixing leguminous crops, Leaf Colour Chart (LCC)-based nitrogen application in paddy, Soil health card-based balanced fertilizer application, Nano-Urea and Nano-DAP etc. Senior Research Fellow Ms. Isha Anindita Sahoo coordinated the training, demonstration, awareness, and farmer-scientist interaction programme and proposed vote of thanks at the end.
